who offers the best children's accounts?

[Tommy]

I want to open bank or building society accounts for the DSs and thought I'd ask for any reccomendations before I just walk into the nearest one.

Anyone had a good experience? I really want a traditional type account where they have a passbook (i.e. not online). had good rates obviously and one that is child friendly.

TIA

I've just been looking for the same thing!
Cheltenham & Gloucester have a good one. Passbook, your child can go in and give them 50p or £5 or whatever and be treated nicely and congratulated on saving, but the "operator" (ie parent or other resp adult who opens it with them) has to sign for them to withdraw money. Rates are fine, and as for child friendliness - they currently get a free money box and alarm clock for opening it.

My branch couldn't have been more helpful. And my first a/c was a C&G "Paddington Bear Account" when I was about 11 so I like that my kids a/cs are C&G as well!

i have halifax accounts for both dc's. regular saver think it is called, passbook style. you need to pay in a regular amount monthly, from about £10 i think. interest is pretty good - can't recall what it is. also if you do not make more than one withdrawal per year and make a payment every calender month you also get a bonus which is more or less equal to the annual interest amount.
am happy with it.

If you are doing regular savings then Halifax has an account paying 10%. For ad hoc deposits and withdrawals, Hailfax, Nationwide, Yorkshire and Chelsea are all good. I would also think about which is easier to get to.

the halifax are buggers for changing their accounts without notice, though - they downgrade existing accounts, and to keep anything like a good interest rate you have to switch (and they may or may not let you know about it).

wow - thanks - that was quick

don't really want one where we have to save regularly - will be a bit ad hoc I think (most things are in my life ) I wouldn't remember to go there every month.

Nationwide have been within 0.1 or 0.2% of market leaders most of the time ime.

another vote for Nationwide as well